Manchester is gearing up for a 'weekend of a lifetime' of bank holiday events as the Queen's Diamond Jubilee draws nearer. More than 500 street parties are expected to take place across the city over the bank holiday weekend as residents and community organisations prepare to party.

The city centre will also host a range of events over the four-day period – including the launch of the 'Olympic Live' site in Exchange Square and the launch of a Diamond Jubilee beacon on top of Manchester Cathedral.

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Manchester is gearing up for a 'weekend of a lifetime' of bank holiday events as the Queen's Diamond Jubilee draws nearer.

More than 500 street parties are expected to take place across the city over the bank holiday weekend as residents and community organisations prepare to party.

The city centre will also host a range of events over the four-day period – including the launch of the 'Olympic Live' site in Exchange Square and the launch of a Diamond Jubilee beacon on top of Manchester Cathedral.

Phil Burke, spokesman for the Manchester Pub and Club Network said the combination of Jubilee and Olympic events along with the warm weather will make it one of the city centre's busiest weekends in living memory.

He said: “It's going to be bigger than New Year and definitely our busiest weekend in a long time as there are so many events for the whole family to enjoy.

“It's going to bring a much-needed boost to the local economy and gives us a great chance to show that Manchester knows how to party.

“We're expecting thousands of extra visitors and there's going to be a real feelgood factor throughout the city. With the Olympics and the Jubilee it's going to be the sort of weekend the city probably won't see again and I think Manchester will certainly make the most of it.”

The Olympic torch will pass through Warrington, Bolton and Wigan on Thursday, with a celebration event at Queens Park in Bolton.

Friday will see the opening of the 'Olympic Live' site in Exchange Square which will screen a hosted of summer events including the Olympics, football's European Championships and Wimbledon.

Exchange Square will host a big lunch from 11am to 2pm on Sunday encouraging people to bring along a picnic and enjoy a nationwide get-together.

Big screens in the square will also stream the Diamond Jubilee Concert organised by Gary Barlow on Monday live from Buckingham Palace, featuring some of music's biggest names including Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Tom Jones and Annie Lennox.

Councillor Sue Murphy, deputy leader of Manchester council, said: "The Queen's Jubilee, as well as other celebrations taking place this summer, is providing an ideal opportunity for Manchester residents to hold events enabling people to come together and demonstrate their pride in their communities.

"We have set out to support people wanting to hold their own events, and made it as easy as possible for them, and the response has been impressive. The Diamond Jubilee beacon will be another significant Manchester contribution to proceedings.

"Manchester has already played its part in the Jubilee celebrations by hosting the Queen's visit in March and I'm sure the next few days will add to those memories.”

In total Greater Manchester’s councils have had 477 notifications of parties over the next few weeks, the majority over the Jubilee weekend itself. Of those, 228 are Manchester events getting town-hall funding as part of its Diamonds Celebrations scheme.

The most popular day for parties is Monday, June 4 – despite the fact that the following day, also a Bank Holiday, marks the Jubilee itself.

Royal revellers in Stockport, Trafford and Wigan will also be putting on a good show.

Nearly 50 parties across Stockport will see road closures, including the entire centre of Marple Bridge – a repeat of last year’s royal wedding celebrations, where the whole village turned out for a knees-up.

Trafford will see a similar number of bashes – the vast majority in of Sale, Hale and Timperley. Wigan too will be closing more than 40 roads, Bury 32 and Rochdale 20, with 14 in Bolton and 11 in Oldham.

As well as a solitary private function in Tameside, a dozen events organised by the council, housing associations and schools will also be taking place.